For most Androscoggin County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.
For a Androscoggin County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Probate Court. The two tools that keep a Androscoggin County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Registry of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.
Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Androscoggin County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Maine probates run 4+ months and start with $40 in filing fees.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Androscoggin County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Registry of Deeds during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.
Before recording, a Maine transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgment18-C M.R.S. 6-401 to 6-420Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's death18-C M.R.S. 6-401 to 6-420Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Deeds and other real property documents for Androscoggin County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds, led by Register of Deeds Tina Chouinard, at 2 Turner Street, Unit 4, Auburn, ME 04210. Phone: 207-782-0191. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; recording hours 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM.
The Registry of Deeds charges $40 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Androscoggin County comes to $40. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Androscoggin County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Androscoggin County · Register of Deeds · Tina Chouinard
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $40 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
33 MRSA 751; 33 MRSA 752
Verified September 6, 2026 · Source
FirmLisbon Falls, ME
One of central and midcoast Maine's established firms, working from Lisbon Falls. Handles estate planning and probate administration for families in Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, and Cumberland counties, alongside general litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningGeneral LitigationProbate Administration
FirmLewiston, ME
Serving Maine seniors and their families since 1996, now practicing as Kienitz and Pross. Kathleen Kienitz is one of the first certified elder law attorneys (CELA) in Maine with over 30 years of practice and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningLong Term Care PlanningProbate Administration
Solo PracticeLewiston, ME
Attorney Michael L. Dubois has over 37 years of experience with probate and estate planning matters. Serves clients in Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding communities in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Oxford and Kennebec Counties. Member of the Maine State Bar Association and American Bar Association.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration
FirmLewiston, ME
Attorneys serving clients for over 170 years. Provides responsive and reasonably priced legal services for wills and trusts, estate and gift tax planning, prenuptial agreements, and MaineCare advice.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate Tax PlanningMaincare PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmAugusta, ME
Founded in 1977 by Jim Mitchell and Jed Davis, both Princeton University and Yale Law School graduates. Provides reliable counsel at a reasonable rate for estate administration matters. Serves clients in Lewiston, Auburn, Waterville, Augusta, Gardiner, and surrounding areas.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate DisputesProbate AdministrationTrusts
Solo PracticeTopsham, ME
A Topsham solo practice serving southern and midcoast Maine, including Bath, Brunswick, and Freeport. Attorney Richard Regan handles estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, and guardianships and conservatorships, alongside bankruptcy and personal injury work, with over three decades of experience. Offers a free initial phone consultation across all practice areas.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianships ConservatorshipsProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Maine statutes and official state code. How we research.
Estate planning articles for Maine.
Forms and tools for property owners in Androscoggin County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Maine.
